The indie fashion PR component to top fashion PR blog PR Couture, Show Me The Pretty features 5-question interviews with hand-selected indie fashion labels. PR Couture shares the pretty and then turns it back to the designers to ask questions and get advice and feedback about their own fashion PR strategy from a variety of industry experts. Sound like fun? Email info[at]prcouture.com for more information.

It’s no wonder Jesica Milton was recognized in the August 2009 issue of Seattle Magazine for having the Most Cohesive Collection, her pieces are at once timeless and decidedly current, each impactful yet quietly stunning in their simplicity. A recent graduate of the New York Fashion Academy, Jesica lives in Seattle and recently released her third collection. She also created one of my favorite dresses in recent memory, the soft gray lace party dress fashion blogger and friend Jordana Bruner wore to the recent IFB party. Connect with Jesica on Twitter @JesicaMilton.

What is your background? Where did you learn to design clothes?

My grandma is a really great seamstress and when I was a kid I used to have a blast making random things from her scrap fabrics, but I didn’t get any formal training in design until a few years ago. After a few years of college I realized that I wasn’t happy or fulfilled with the career path I was on, and I left to attend a local design school here in Seattle. I studied there for 2 years and started working on my line immediately after.

How have your collections evolved? What stays the same?

I take feedback from my buyers and clients to heart, so I’ve made some changes recently to lower my prices and use more easy care fabrics. My Spring 2010 collection is much more casual than Fall 09, it has a “borrowed from boyfriend” feel to it. I’m always striving to push myself creatively and learn new techniques, so I think that the line will continue to evolve and improve as I mature as a designer.

Though my upcoming collections are a little more casual than in the past, the general aesthetic is very much the same. The garments are always a juxtaposition of minimalism and romance, and always wearable.

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After the Nolcha runway show and post-show frenzy died down, I stepped outside for a breather and a quick Q&A with Nolcha’s front of house, BJ Coleman. This was BJ’s first year working with Nolcha Fashion Week, he was attracted to the focus on helping indie designers get recognition, noting it’s more of a challenge and more fulfilling working with lesser known designers than with big established brands. Which he knows a thing or two about.

BJ boasts an impressive resume including working with Maury Povich, CNN, and Queen Latifah, by his senior year of college, BJ was hired as the personal assistant to Baby Phat creative director Kimora Lee Simmons. After graduating, BJ went on to work for NC Connect (Naomi Campbell’s Marketing and PR Firm) where he served as PR Account Executive and Celebrity Wrangler, handling and assisting the firm’s heavyweight accounts, including Dolce & Gabbana, Alicia Keys, and others. For four years, BJ was a key player in the Phat Fashions empire, serving as Senior Director of Marketing & Public Relations, where he built and developed an in-house PR division for the legendary hip-hop fashion house. In 2008, BJ became the Vice President of Entertainment & Talent for 5W Public Relations, a NYC-based PR agency where BJ represented such stars as Malinda Williams, Ray J, D-Nice, hairstylist Ted Gibson & rap star Trina. Most recently, BJ launched Coleman Entertainment Group in New York City.

Seriously did I ask for a sit down with the right guy or what?

I asked BJ for his Three Key Ingredients for a Successful Runway Show, and he shared the following:

• Securing media attendance at the show
• Managing the list and keeping the list organized
• Post show press and buzz

BJ brought up a good point with post-show coverage – it isn’t enough to simply get editors to attend the shows, the goal is to maximize the relationship from there on out and to leverage the show to bring in consistent online and offline coverage all season. Yes, BJ is a big fan of fashion bloggers and online media, noting that all of his clients want blog coverage and it’s how many people now get their news.

No doubt Nolcha and its designers are in good hands with BJ Coleman at the helm!

After being inspired by the Fashion Business Panel, I headed up to the Accessories lounge where I found a photo booth waiting for me. A free photo booth! And a lovely lady telling me I could take as many pictures as I wanted! Thank you Classic Photo Booth!

Well, feeling quite at home and volunteering myself for anyone going attending solo who wanted a photo booth friend (I am a fiend and met Holly Landau from the Fashion Business Panel this way – see above!) I decided to stick around for a bit and check out the 4 pm Luxe Collective Runway show. This show featured the following independent designers: Agnes Valentine | Dora Abodi | Elda De La Rosa Couture | KabukiU | MinnaK | Sodalicious.

MinnaK Models

While waiting for the show to begin, I was able to meet up with a Twitter friend of mine Lisa Barr @Bridalease, who writes for New York Bridal Fashion Examiner, so it was great fun having someone to chat with before the show started, not to mention nabbing a second row seat! I have to say, after a week of spending over an hour to see a 10 minute collection, it was so nice to sit down for a bit and enjoy multiple designers at a single show. In addition, the whole vibe at Nolcha was very relaxed – after the show many models stuck around to take photos with people attending the shows and everyone seemed to be having a really good time.

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